STRATFORD — John Rich, 56, something of a hero to canines and their human companions in town, died Friday in Bridgeport Hospital.

The cause was complications from diabetes, a disease that he battled for years, his close friends told Hearst Connecticut Media. Rich was seen as the man who got the Town Council to agree on a location for the town’s dog park, now under construction near the entrance to Roosevelt Forest.

Just about everyone in Stratford agreed that the town was in need of a dog park — so long as it was in someone else’s neighborhood. Rich co-wrote a 56-page report detailing the pros and cons of dozens of possible sites for the facility.

The council in early 2017, acting on his suggestions, agreed on the Roosevelt Forest site. He had pushed for the park since 2007.

Rich, who was a member of the Democratic Town Committee at the time of his death, made an unsuccessful run at the Town Council in 2017. He lost in the Sept. 12 primary to Bieu Tran, who later was defeated by Republican Chris Pia in the November election for District 1.

“He exemplified what it means to be a Stratford resident,” said Stephanie Philips, chairwoman of the Democratic Town Committee. “He was a volunteer in the community for decades and everyone — no matter what side of the aisle you’re were on — admired him and his work.”

Rich, a life-long Stratford resident, spent 30 years volunteering with the Stratford EMS, where he achieved the rank of lieutenant and worked as an EMT, paramedic and instructor.

He was a respiratory therapist at St. Vincent’s, Bridgeport and Milford hospital. He was active in Scouting. He was a founding member of Stratford EMS Explorer Post 911.

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He is is survived by his wife, Rose; his mother Carol (Taylor) Rich; two daughters, Theresa Rich of Stratford and Becky Rich and her wife Liz Batsford, of Brunswick, Maine; a brother, Michael Rich of Stratford; and two sisters, Kathy Kovalik of Stratford and Tricia Rich of Andover, Mass.

A funeral is set for 11 a.m. Tuesday, at Lordship Community Church, 179 Prospect Drive, Stratford. Interment will follow in Saint Michael’s Cemetery, Stratford. The William R. McDonald Funeral Home, 2591 Main St., is in charge of arrangements.

A wake will take place Monday, Jan. 29, from 3 to 8 p.m. in the William R. McDonald Funeral Home, 2591 Main St., Stratford.

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